GK) Simon Mignolet – 7/10
Solid in recent weeks. Mignolet made one key save and distributed the ball well. Not at fault for the goal.
DR) Nathaniel Clyne – 7/10
Another good display from Liverpool’s most consistent performer. Dealt with Ibrahim Afellay easily down Stoke’s left and always provided an outlet down the right.
DL) Alberto Moreno – 7/10
A scorcher from distance proved what Moreno can do in the opposition half, although to be fair, he was pretty sound defensively as well. He’ll need to put in a similar display on Thursday against Dortmund.
DC) Martin Skrtel – 6/10
Didn’t have too much to do but dealt with Peter Crouch pretty well. Skrtel was hopeless last time out against Southampton in the Premier League, but this was an improved performance.
DC) Kolo Toure – 6/10
Solid at the back all afternoon. Kolo’s actually having a very good, reliable season.
MC) Kevin Stewart – 7/10
Stewart provides no fuss, no thrills, but a solid base from which the rest of his team could perform. The 22-year-old barely gave the ball away and made some timely interceptions centrally.
MC) Joe Allen (Lucas 81′) – 8/10
Allen got a deserved standing ovation when he came off at the end for Lucas. He won plenty of tackles in the middle and made incisive passes which aided our counter attacks. If he carries on like this from now until the end of the season he’ll get a new contract.
AMR) James Milner – 8/10
Two assists for Milner today. The stand in skipper covered every blade of grass but showed genuine class with his delivery as well.
AMC) Roberto Firmino (Lallana 61′) – 6/10
A decent return for Firmino, who’ll surely be in contention for a start on Thursday at Anfield. The Brazilian’s touch was perfect, he just drifted in and out of the game.
AML) Sheyi Ojo (Origi 45′) – 6/10
A topsy-turvy half for Ojo, who actually provided the game’s best moment when he skinned Xherdan Shaqiri and beautifully assisted Sturridge’s goal. Made mistakes, but this guy’s a serious talent.
FC) Daniel Sturridge – 7.5/10
Some sublime touches and flicks proved Sturridge’s skill, with the striker also scoring a first-half goal from close range. It was the kind of performance which would warrant re-selection in the Europa League, but annoyingly for Sturridge, the man he’s competing with for a spot, Divock Origi, came on and did even better!
SUBS:
Divock Origi – 8/10 – This guy is a proper, proper player. Two goals to make it three in the week. Pace, skill and a clinical instinct. He could be special.
Adam Lallana – 7/10 – Showed real class when he came on, easing our transition from midfield to attack.
Lucas – n/a